Yeah, the T7 is a bit of a nightmare because Canon actually removed the center sync pin on the hot shoe for that specific model. I remember a few years back helping a friend at a rehearsal dinner who had a T7 and a generic manual flash... we spent twenty minutes wondering why the thing wouldnt fire before realizing the camera literally lacked the physical contact point. You have to be super careful because a lot of older or cheap flashes simply wont work with your camera at all. For your budget, I would suggest looking at these two options:

• Godox TT685II-C Flash for Canon is probably your best bet under 150 bucks. It supports TTL which is vital for those indoor shots so you dont get that ghost look since the camera and flash talk to each other to set the power. The recycle time is way faster than your built-in flash, usually around 2.6 seconds at full power. Just make sure the firmware is updated for that T7 compatibility.
• Godox V860III-C TTL Li-ion Flash for Canon might be slightly over budget if you buy new, but the lithium battery is a total game changer. I hate carrying around a dozen AA batteries for a long event. This one gives you roughly 480 full-power flashes on one charge and recycles in about 1.5 seconds, so you wont miss any birthday moments. Whatever you pick, make sure to bounce the flash off a white ceiling instead of pointing it directly at faces. It makes the light way softer and more natural. If you go with a cheap manual flash without the specific Canon pins, it just wont fire.

> i just want something reliable for indoor shots Ive been extremely satisfied with the Godox V350C Li-ion Camera Flash for Canon. It is fully compatible with the T7 hot shoe and the lithium-ion battery provides excellent recycle times.

• Tip: Tilt the flash head toward the ceiling for softer light.
• Tip: Ensure the battery is fully charged before long events. No complaints at all, this setup works perfectly for indoor shots.

I remember helping a student with a T7. That missing center pin really threw us for a loop. In my experience, the Godox TT685II-C for Canon is your best bet. Or the Canon Speedlite EL-100 if you want something smaller. I've tried many over the years. These actually work. Quick tip: point the flash at the ceiling so you dont get that ghost look.

Like someone mentioned, that missing pin on the T7 is such a sneaky move by Canon! It totally caught everyone off guard when it first dropped. Basically, your camera needs a flash that talks through the electronic pins on the side of the bracket, not just the big middle one. If you dont get one that supports the full E-TTL protocol specifically updated for the T7 or SL3 era, it just wont fire at all. It is all about that digital handshake between the flash and the DIGIC processor! Honestly, just go with any of the modern Yongnuo Speedlites for Canon that specifically list compatibility with the T7. You really cant go wrong with their newer stuff. Theyve been super on top of the firmware updates needed for these pin-less hot shoes which makes them incredibly reliable. I love how their system handles the data! Even their cheaper stuff is built so well and handles the communication perfectly so you dont get those annoying misfires. Plus the recycle time is gonna blow your mind compared to that built-in pop-up... that thing is basically a toy haha. Just make sure it says it supports E-TTL and you are golden!

Re: "Like someone mentioned, that missing pin on the..." Chapman is totally right about the hardware issue, but honestly, I think people overcomplicate the fix sometimes. I remember being so frustrated when I first got my T7 and tried an old manual flash i found in a drawer... total waste of time because it just wouldnt fire. I ended up going a different route than the usual Godox recommendations. I've been super satisfied with the Nissin i600 Flash for Canon. Its basically built for people who want simplicity without the headache of the missing pin issue. I've used it for a couple of birthdays now and it just works.

• It detects the T7 shoe automatically without any firmware hacks.
• The dual dials on the back are way easier to adjust mid-party than digging through menus.
• Power is solid enough to bounce off high ceilings in a restaurant. I honestly think Nissin handles the crippled hot shoe better than some of the cheaper brands. If you can find the Nissin i400 for Canon it might be even cheaper and it still does the job perfectly. Its nice to finally take pics where people dont look like they're in a horror movie.